Sonam Wangchuk sets condition to end fast: no punitive action against protesters
- Sonam Wangchuk has made the end of his fast conditional on no punitive action against protesters.
- The activist is demanding the Centre spare students from legal action.
- Opposition MPs have urged Wangchuk to end his fast, saying India needs him in service, not suffering.
Climate activist and education reformist Sonam Wangchuk has set a clear condition to end his ongoing fast: the central government must assure no punitive action will be taken against student protesters.
Wangchuk, known for his 2019 fast demanding a separate Ladakh council and for his role in the 'Three Idiots' inspiration, has been on a hunger strike for several days. His fast has drawn attention to the plight of students involved in recent agitations across the country.
Wangchuk's demand: spare students from legal action
The activist has said he will only break his fast once the Centre formally communicates that students who participated in protests will not face legal consequences. The demand comes amid reports of police cases and disciplinary actions against student leaders and participants in various campus movements.
Sources close to Wangchuk said he is firm on this condition. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the government has responded to his demand.
Opposition MPs urge Wangchuk to end fast
Opposition members of Parliament have made a direct appeal to Wangchuk to call off his fast. A group of MPs visited him and said, 'India needs you, not in suffering, but in service.' They urged him to reconsider his stance for the sake of his health.
The MPs, from parties including the Congress and regional outfits, have also raised the matter in Parliament. They argued that the government should address the activist's concerns to prevent his health from deteriorating further.
Broader context: student protests and legal action
Wangchuk's fast is the latest flashpoint in a series of student-led agitations across Indian campuses. Many students have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for alleged unlawful assembly, vandalism, or sedition during protests over issues ranging from fee hikes to exam reforms.
Human rights groups have repeatedly called for the withdrawal of such cases, arguing they stifle dissent. The government has maintained that legal action is taken only when there is evidence of criminal behaviour, not for peaceful protest.
What happens next
Wangchuk's fast continues as the government considers his condition. No official statement has been issued from the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Prime Minister's Office. The coming days will reveal whether the Centre decides to meet the activist's demand or risk his health worsening.